How do we address the gender gap in the construction industry? Women only make up 9 percent of the construction workforce, according to the National Association of Women in Construction. That statistic highlights the fact that both parties are missing out on opportunities for a lucrative partnership within the industry.
Despite the lack of gender diversity, women in the construction industry have the potential to earn about 95.7 percent of what men make. Although it isn’t ideal, it beats the nationwide average of 81.1 percent across all industries.
Construction companies also benefit from hiring a gender-diverse workforce, as they’re 46 percent more likely to outperform the industry average, according to the Peterson Institute. But getting women interested in the industry can be a challenge. Here are steps you can take to attract and retain more women:
- Create an inclusive work culture that values men and women equally.
- Remove gender-biased words from job descriptions and involve female employees in the recruitment process.
- Adopt benefits and work policies that promote a work-life balance and are family-friendly.
- Create a diversity council with representatives from a mix of genders, positions, and backgrounds.
Addressing the gender gap is an important step toward encouraging diverse talent to enter the construction industry. For more information on attracting and retaining a diverse workforce, contact us below.